Medically assisted reproduction in Italy, 2020 data from the Italian MAR Register.

BACKGROUND: The Italian Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) Register (ItMARR) was established by the Decree of the Minister of Health issued on October 7th, 2005. ItMARR has a crucial role in clearly and publicly disseminating epidemiological information on the MAR activities and outcomes. METHODS: ItMARR data is collected in aggregate form and is mandatory as set out in Law 40/2004. The aim of this article is to make a snapshot of the authorized centers that perform IUI and ART in Italy. Data used in this article refer to MAR treatments started between January 1st and December 31st, 2020. RESULTS: MAR techniques were performed by 332 centers. In total, 67,927 ART cycles and 12,171 IUI cycles were performed in 2020. Gametes donation cycles represent 12.9% of ART activity and 4.0% of IUI. ART cycles performed per million women of childbearing age was 6525. In 2020, 2.5% of births in the general population in Italy were a result of application of ART techniques. MAR activity in 2020, has been heavily reduced by the limitations to reproductive treatment due to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Pregnancy rates per transfers were 26.7% with fresh techniques, 32.6% with FER, 25.7% with FO, 38.0% with OD and 39.1% with SD. There were fewer multiple deliveries than the previous year. CONCLUSIONS: The ItMARR, has become a great asset in the reproductive health scenario promoting a better MAR information dissemination. ItMARR is working on the implementation towards a "cycle-by-cycle" data collection system. This will bring the Italian monitoring system in line with others European countries.

Is Chronic Exposure to Raw Water a Possible Risk Factor for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? A Pilot Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: The etiopathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is still largely unknown. METHODS: We performed a case-control study (33 cases and 35 controls) in Umbria, Italy. We investigated associations between common lifestyle, clinical factors, as well as environmental exposures potentially implicated with ALS onset. Face-to-face interviews were carried out. All cases were recruited and diagnosed according to El Escorial criteria. Case-control comparisons were made for educational and residential status, occupational exposures, and clinical and lifestyle factors prior to cases' dates of diagnosis. RESULTS: Our results showed an increased risk of ALS for subjects chronically exposed to raw water use (odds ratio (OR) = 6.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.24-19.12). Garden activities showed a tight association with ALS as well, very likely as a consequence of chronic raw water exposure. Indeed, we could exclude an impact for pesticides, as no significant differences were observed in pesticide exposure in the two groups interviewed. However, cases were more often exposed to fertilizers. After adjustment for age, sex, and heavy physical activities, exposure to raw water was still associated with increased ALS risk (OR = 4.74, 95% CI: 1.33-16.85). DISCUSSION: These findings suggest an association between ALS and exposure to raw water, which should be further investigated for the presence of chemicals interfering with nervous system functionality.

Underweight, overweight and obesity prevalence among adolescent school children in the Province of La Pamp Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: While different epidemiological studies as part of their survey include data of adolescents of the province of La Pampa regarding overweight and obesity prevalence, their experimental designs have certain limitations as far as the description of the regional reality. OBJECTIVE: To obtain a diagnosis of the situation regarding the body composition profile among 13 year old adolescents in the Province of La Pampa. POPULATION AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of male and female adolescents born in 2001. Weight, height, waist circumference, scapular and tricipital skinfolds were measured. RESULTS: Of the 711 adolescents assessed, 5 subjects (0.7%) had a weight below the third percentile for age and sex. In relation to overweight and obesity, the sample values were 26.4% and 14.1%, respectively (27.5% and 16.9% of male; 25.5% and 11.7% of female adolescents). Of the total sample, 15.8% (16.5% of male and 15.6% of female adolescents) had waist circumference values compatible with abdominal obesity. As far as body fat values, 36.8% (37.4% of male and 36% of female adolescents) had above normal values according to skinfold thickness measurements. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast with the small prevalence of low weight in the region, overweight and obesity are a significant problem among the studied population in La Pampa.

INTRODUCTION: Introducción. Mientras que diversos estudios epidemiológicos incluyen como parte de su relevamiento datos de jóvenes de la provincia de La Pampa en relación con la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad, sus diseños experimentales presentan ciertas limitaciones en cuanto a la descripción de la realidad regional. OBJECTIVE: Obtener un diagnóstico de situación acerca del perfil de composición corporal de adolescentes de 13 años de edad de la provincia de La Pampa. POBLACIÓN Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal en una muestra de varones y niñas nacidos en el año 2001, a los que se les tomó peso, tall perímetro de cintur pliegue subescapular y tricipital. RESULTS: De los 711 varones y niñas evaluados, 5 sujetos (0,7%) presentaron un peso por debajo del percentilo 3 para sexo y edad. En lo que hace a sobrepeso y obesidad, los valores de la muestra fueron 26,4% y 14,1%, respectivamente (27,5% y 16,9% en varones; 25,5% y 11,7% en niñas). Un 15,8% del total de la muestra (16,5% de los varones y 15,6% de las niñas) presentó valores de perímetro de cintura compatibles con obesidad abdominal. Un 36,8% (37,4% de varones y 36% de mujeres) mostró valores de grasa por encima de lo normal de acuerdo con la evaluación realizada a partir de los pliegues cutáneos. CONCLUSIÓN: En contraposición a la pequeña prevalencia de bajo peso en la región, el sobrepeso y la obesidad constituyen una problemática de magnitudes elevadas en nuestra provincia en lapoblación estudiada.

Comparison of 2- and 3-category histologic grading systems for predicting the presence of metastasis at the time of initial evaluation in dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumors: 386 cases (2009-2014).

OBJECTIVE: To compare the Kiupel (2 categories) and Patnaik (3 categories) histologic grading systems for predicting the presence of metastasis at the time of initial examination in dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 386 client-owned dogs with cutaneous MCTs. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed cutaneous MCTs that had undergone complete clinical staging were reviewed for clinical and histopathologic data. RESULTS: All Patnaik grade 1 MCTs (n = 52) were classified as Kiupel low-grade MCTs, and all Patnaik grade 3 MCTs (43) were classified as Kiupel high-grade MCTs. Of the 291 Patnaik grade 2 MCTs, 243 (83.5%) were classified as Kiupel low-grade tumors, and 48 (16.5%) were classified as Kiupel high-grade MCTs. Dogs with Patnaik grade 3 MCTs were significantly more likely to have metastases at the time of initial examination than were dogs with grade 1 or 2 MCTs (OR, 5.46), and dogs with Kiupel high-grade MCTs were significantly more likely to have metastases than were dogs with Kiupel low-grade MCTs (OR, 2.54). However, 3 of 52 (5.8%) dogs with Patnaik grade 1 tumors, 48 of 291 (16.5%) dogs with Patnaik grade 2 tumors, and 44 of 295 (14.9%) dogs with Kiupel low-grade tumors had metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings indicated that in dogs with cutaneous MCTs, prognostication should not rely on histologic grade alone, regardless of grading system used, but should take into account results of clinical staging.

National survey of the smoking cessation services in Italy.

This investigation is aimed at providing information about structural and organizational characteristics of smoking cessation services (SCS) set up within the Italian National Health Service. Local health units and hospitals are the main institutions connected with SCS which are mainly located within the Department of Drug Addiction and the Department of Lung and Breath Care. SCS provide different tobacco-use cessation programs. Although pharmacotherapy is always used, a combination of therapeutic treatments is highly preferred. This study shows the importance of maintaining a national coordination among different SCS supporting their activity and encouraging the start up of additional services throughout the country.

Seed germination and viability of wyoming sagerbrush in Northern Nevada

El tamaño de la semilla y las características de la germinación afectan el desempeño de las plántulas en estadios tempranos. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar las relaciones entre tamaño de semilla y porcentaje de germinación, tasa de germinación, variación de la germinación con el tiempo y viabilidad de las semillas en artemisa (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis Beetle y Young). Las hipótesis de trabajo fueron: 1) para semillas individuales, las tasas y porcentajes de germinación están positivamente relacionados al peso de las semillas; y 2) algunas semillas no teñidas con el TTC no están muertas sino durmientes. Las semillas fueron recolectadas en Battle Mountain y Eden Valley, al norte de Nevada, EEUU, en noviembre 2002 y 2003. Las semillas individuales fueron clasificadas por peso en clases de 0,05mgúsemilla-1, variando de £0,15 a >0,40mgúsemilla-1, y fueron incubadas en oscuridad a 15ºC; las plántulas con radículas ³1,0mm se removieron diariamente durante los primeros 10 días, y luego cada 2 días hasta el día 32. El estudio concluyó el día 37. La prueba del cloruro de trifenil tetrazolio (TTC) se usó para determinar la viabilidad de las semillas no germinadas, y el azul de Evans para separar semillas no germinadas en durmientes o muertas. Los resultados apoyaron ambas hipótesis. La germinación máxima en ambos sitios, años y todos los rangos de semillas se alcanzó 5-6 días luego de la imbibición. Esto sugiere que un suelo húmedo por varios días consecutivos ayudaría a proveer una germinación óptima en campo. El uso del azul de Evans demostró que aunque en pequeño porcentaje (< 5 por ceinto), algunas semillas no teñidas por TTC no estaban muertas sino durmientes, con potencial para germinar dadas condiciones apropiadas. Cuando este arbusto es usado para restaurar pastizales degradados se deberían usar semillas relativamente pesadas, que tienen el mayor potencial para germinar